Lollapalooza 2013: Matt & Kim Just Want to Go on Tour with Beyoncé

How many college sweethearts can say they spend every moment together—and sometimes those moments are shared with hundreds of thousands of onlookers? Such is the case for Matt Johnson and Kim Schifino, a.k.a., Matt & Kim. The indie-pop duo began dating at the Pratt Institute before they formed their Brooklyn-based band in 2005. Most recently, they released their fourth studio album, Lightning in October 2012, toured with Passion Pit, and created viral music videos. The charming couple are regulars on the festival circuit, known for their wild sets (but more on that later). The day before they performed in front of a packed crowd at Lollapalooza, we chatted with them in a quiet corner of the festival. There, we learned that they finish each other's sentences and which celebrity could just break up their unity…

We hear you have an album coming out.

Kim: We have a remix album coming out including all songs off the album Lightning, which we put out in October. We can't say anything else.

Let's talk about the "It's Alright" video, in which you guys dance around in bed together.

Kim: It's basically us in our undies, sleep dancing in bed.

Is there any truth to that? Like, on Sunday mornings when you guys wake up?

Matt: The idea came from that time [in the morning] when the sun is coming in and you're fidgeting while sleeping next to someone. You turn over, then the other person turns over. I thought, "What if that keep escalating?"

Kim: And also, for three years, we shared a twin bed. When one person turned, the other person had to turn. But let me tell you, dancing laying down, is a hell of lot harder than dancing standing up. And I love to dance. I do it as much as I can on stage.

Do you coordinate your style? Today you're both in black and white.

Kim: I usually wear black, white, red, and gray. Those are my safety colors.

But your music and your stage presence is so colorful. Why juxtapose it with black?

Matt: It's just what she's into. I can always see if there is a black-and-white dress or shirt…

Kim: Matt's like, "Kim will like that."

Do you think it's because you are New Yorkers, and everyone wears black?

Kim: No, here's the thing, I remember in sixth grade my mom was like, "You're so mod." And I was like, "What's mod, mom?" I was like pissed about it.
Matt: Your mom called you mod in sixth grade? Love it. Sometimes when I show up to a summer festival in all black, I feel like some kind of narc because everyone is wearing very colorful clothes, and I am in long pants. This is the same as my beach outfit.

You guys are so energetic on stage. What goes through your mind when you are performing at a big festival like this?

Kim: Everyone asks us how are we so energetic, but a lot of it is just feeding off the crowd. The crowd gets nuts and that makes us gets nuts. All of a sudden I'm playing, and I see Matt on top of the scaffolding. He once go on the top of the scaffolding, standing up! Not holding on to anything!

Matt: You get swept up in the moment and you don't realize what you are doing and then you find yourself standing on the very top of the scaffolding of a stage looking down, and you are like a cat stuck in the tree, thinking, "I don't wanna come down!"

Who is your celebrity crush?

Kim: I will say this. If Beyoncé ever came to me and said, "Kim (because in my head she knows my name), I need you to leave the band to come on tour with me and dance." I'd probably drop this band real quick.

Matt: It would just be called "Matt And." I always saw this coming…

You would really take it that easily?

Matt: Yeah.

What are the best and worst parts of being a couple and being in the same band?

Kim: The best part is you get laid every single night and you don't even have to look for it.

Matt: You don't have to leave your significant other behind. Like our old tour mate had to leave his wife and child at home for six months at a time. But on the other hand, we spend every second of every day together. And for us, it works out okay. For other relationships I've been in, not so much. I wouldn't suggest it for everybody.

Kim: It's because I'm really funny, easy going, and easy to be around.

And if Beyoncé can join you all the better.

Kim: Maybe Beyoncé is going to say I want to go on tour with you guys.

Matt: That sounds more realistic. If I am going to put all my eggs in one basket, that should be the basket.